I'm having a helicopter parent moment.

[textbookcase]

Talk me down.

C has been invited to give a presentation at a 4H state leadership forum as a young ambassador. It's a pretty big deal, she is the youngest delegate in our county. Anyway, she has to travel 2 hours away with her group WITHOUT ME. I am pretty anxious in general and my anxiety is worse when my kids aren't with me, especially traveling with other people. I KNOW IT'S IRRATIONAL. Do I just need to take some xanax and shut up, or what? Halp.

[textbookcase]

Nov 5, 2015 15:31:31 GMT -5 RexManningDay said:

Do you know and trust the people she will be with? If yes, then yes. You need to let her do this and try to be calm about it. This sounds like a great opportunity for her, and she's growing up, TBC.

Yes, I know them and trust them. I know it's such a great opportunity and it will be a great experience. I'm going to go breathe into a paper bag.

thanks!

[mrsukyankee]

Yup, take your Xanax. This is the first of many trips away from you that she'll take. This will be a great experience for her and she'll learn a lot about herself and other people. What a great opportunity.

[jlt19]

Is it overnight? How old is she?

[FastHands]

Assuming it's a well-supervised trip with people you trust, yep, time for you to take deep breaths and let her go on the trip.

[Deleted]

She's going to be great, but I would probably be anxious, because I'm an anxious person.

Deep breaths, and maybe that Xanax

[textbookcase]

Nov 5, 2015 15:34:40 GMT -5 jlt19 said:

Is it overnight? How old is she?

This trip isn't overnight, but as a young ambassador she will be taking many overnight trips all through the state. This time she will leave around 5am and be home in the late evening sometime. She is 11.

[shopgirl07]

It's no different than a school field trip. It will be very good for her, she needs these opportunities to learn and grow.

[textbookcase]

Nov 5, 2015 15:36:46 GMT -5 shopgirl07 said:

It's no different than a school field trip. It will be very good for her, she needs these opportunities to learn and grow.

She is homeschooled

[jlt19]

Nov 5, 2015 15:36:18 GMT -5 textbookcase said:

Nov 5, 2015 15:34:40 GMT -5 jlt19 said:

Is it overnight? How old is she?

This trip isn't overnight, but as a young ambassador she will be taking many overnight trips all through the state. This time she will leave around 5am and be home in the late evening sometime. She is 11.

Ok, so not overnight yet, but still a long day. I get being anxious, but if she's going to have overnight ones down the road, I think this will be a good transition for you. Hang in there, it'll be a great opportunity for her!

[Deleted]

Then she definitely needs to go if she doesn't know the pleasure/pain of a field trip.

[Deleted]

She will do fine mama. Maybe it is time for her to get a phone so she can text you and call you when she is on these trips? DS did a ton of Field trips over the summer with his "summer camp" and the first few were over an hour away. He did amazing and had a blast and she will too. (DS is 6)

[shopgirl07]

Nov 5, 2015 15:38:01 GMT -5 textbookcase said:

Nov 5, 2015 15:36:46 GMT -5 shopgirl07 said:

It's no different than a school field trip. It will be very good for her, she needs these opportunities to learn and grow.

She is homeschooled

Right. But my point is that this trip is a pretty standard trip that kids would make several times a year. And being home schooled, I think these enrichment opportunities are really important.

[textbookcase]

Nov 5, 2015 15:40:49 GMT -5 shopgirl07 said:

Nov 5, 2015 15:38:01 GMT -5 textbookcase said:

She is homeschooled

Right. But my point is that this trip is a pretty standard trip that kids would make several times a year. And being home schooled, I think these enrichment opportunities are really important.

Yeah, totally, I know it's important and a great opportunity. I just have THE ANXIETY! I know she will be okay, and she is super excited about it.

[mekia]

She will do great and so will you!

[Eagles]

Nov 5, 2015 15:44:05 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I, Orphan said:

First of all, there is nothing wrong with being a helicopter parent.
Second of all, I suppose it's fine if she goes. Proceed.

[Eagles]

I think it's awesome for her! Xanax and deep breaths. I know it's been bumpy for you guys so I can understand feeling a little "eeeeeeeeeeeeeee" about it.

[textbookcase]

She does have a phone and I already told her not to screw around on it all day so she can text me, lol.

[snipsnsnails]

She'll be fine and so will you, TBC. C is such a good kid. I know people say that a lot, but she really, really is. So responsible and I've always gotten the vibe that you've just got a good egg on your hands here.

[auntie]

This is what is supposed to happen when you do your job well.

I get the anxiety: the first time DS went away to camp ay 9 I was physically ill for the first 48 hours. It was a great experience for him.

[textbookcase]

Nov 5, 2015 16:28:15 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

She'll be fine and so will you, TBC. C is such a good kid. I know people say that a lot, but she really, really is. So responsible and I've always gotten the vibe that you've just got a good egg on your hands here.

Aw, thanks! She really is a good kid. I like her, anyway. Lol.

[Muddled]

What a fantastic opportunity for her! Let her go. It will be good for both of you.

[lg28]

I'm a girl guide leader and often times the parents are super concerned about tbe overnight camps and the girls jjst LOVE it. They're 9-11, so similar ages.

It's important to their development to be able to do things independently.

[adhdfashion]

I did that without my parent's. I came out unscathed. Overall was a great learning experience.

[redheadk]

It's an awesome opportunity for her! Breathe into the paper bag after she's gone but put on a happy face for her